ABOUT MAHARSHTRA

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Ancient Maharashtra (Pre-300 BCE to 300 CE)

1. Prehistoric and Protohistoric Era:

• Human presence in Maharashtra is traced back to the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, with many rock shelters and cave paintings discovered at places like Bhimbetka (in Madhya Pradesh, but culturally associated with Maharashtra) and Naneghat.
• Archaeological excavations in the Bhimbetka caves, Pachora, and Junnar have revealed the earliest human existence, which had engaged in hunting, gathering, and early farming.
• There are traces of seals and pottery of the same period found in the region that could be the outcome of trade exchange with the Indus Valley Civilization (2600 BCE - 1900 BCE).

1. Mauryan Empire (around 3rd century BCE):

   • By the 3rd century BCE, Maharashtra was absorbed into the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya and later his grandson Ashoka.
   • Ashoka's Brahmi inscriptions have been found in regions like Kandahar (Afghanistan) and Nashik, showing the reach of Mauryan influence into Maharashtra.
   • Ashoka converted to Buddhism that spread Buddhism to this region also building stupas and monasteries, also during this era built at places Nashik and Ajanta.

2. Satavahana Dynasty (approx. 1st century BC to 3rd century AD):

   • The Satavahanas rose to an impressive power in Maharashtra and covered large parts of the Deccan Plateau. Their empire covered large territories that form parts of modern-day Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
   • The Satavahana played a strong role in the promotion of trade and cultural exchange between the Deccan and the coastal regions. They also had a great role in the growth of Hinduism and Buddhism.
   • Karle Caves, Bhaja Caves, and Ajanta Caves—all rock-cut Buddhist monuments—are examples of Satavahana art and architecture.

Medieval Maharashtra (4th to 15th Century)

1. Rashtrakuta Dynasty (circa 6th to 10th century CE):

   • The Rashtrakutas were a dominant power in the Deccan region with their capital at Manyakheta (modern-day Malkhed in Karnataka). Their rule spanned the present-day states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
   • The Kailasa Temple at Ellora built by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I is one of the most popular rock-cut temples in the world, reflecting the architectural acumen of the Rashtrakutas.
   • Maharashtra was advanced under the Rashtrakutas in terms of literature, art, and architecture.

2. Yadava Dynasty (about 9th to 14th century CE):

   • The Yadavas founded a powerful kingdom with their capital at Devagiri (modern Daulatabad, near Aurangabad). They controlled a vast region in central and western India.
   • The Yadavas extended the sway of Hinduism, encouraged the use of Marathi as a language of literature, and made considerable contributions to art and architecture.
   • The Daulatabad Fort (earlier known as Devagiri Fort) is a testament to their military power.
   • The Yadavas were finally overthrown by Ala-ud-Din Khilji, which marked the establishment of Muslim rule in the Deccan.

3. Delhi Sultanate and the Bahmani Sultanate (14th to 15th Century):

   • Maharashtra was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate after the fall of Yadavas during the 14th century, especially under the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
   • The Bahmani Sultanate (founded in 1347) was an important kingdom established among the Muslims of Deccan. Though the capital was located in present-day Karnataka State, its influence spread throughout parts of Maharashtra.
   • The Battle of Adilabad (1422) was a chief confrontation during the Bahmani period, during which Deccan sultans started to project dominance over the region.

Emergence of the Maratha Empire in the 17th Century

1. The Birth of Shivaji Maharaj (1630 - 1680):

   • The history of Maharashtra in the 17th century is dominated by the rise of Shivaji Maharaj, a Maratha ruler who laid the foundations of the Maratha Empire.
   • Born in January 1630, Shivaji was crowned as Chhatrapati in 1674. His reign was marked by the establishment of a strong military and naval presence, pioneering the use of guerrilla tactics in warfare.
   • He successfully challenged the Mughal Empire, led by Emperor Aurangzeb, by taking forts and establishing a network of strategically located strongholds, including the famous Raigad Fort.
   • Shivaji’s navy played an essential role in protecting the western coast, and his administration emphasized progressive policies, including promoting religious tolerance, justice, and welfare for his subjects.

2. Expansion and Consolidation (1680–1714):

   • After Shivaji’s death in 1680, his successors, including his son Shahu Maharaj, faced challenges from the Mughals and other regional powers. However, the Maratha Confederacy continued to expand under leaders like Baji Rao I, Madhavrao I, and Shivaji’s grandson, Shahu.
   • Maratha Confederacy became a confederate form of government with many Maratha chiefs, like the Scindias, Holkars, Gaekwads, and Bhonsles, holding important territories but being still loyal to the Chhatrapati.

Maratha Decline and British Ascendancy (18th - 19th Century)

1. Maratha-British Wars:

   • The Marathas eventually emerged as the most powerful force in India in the 18th century. They were constantly in conflict with the British East India Company and, therefore, had the Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775–1818).
   • The First Anglo-Maratha War (1775–1782) was indecisive but the Second Anglo-Maratha War (1803–1805) was clearly in favor of the British.
   • The Third Anglo-Maratha War (1817–1818) brought an effective end to the Maratha Empire. The Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was defeated, and most Maratha territories were annexed into the British Empire.

2. British Rule (1818–1947):

   • Once the Marathas were defeated, Bombay became one of the major ports for the British, and this region gradually formed a part of British India. Maharashtra began slowly turning its economy away from agriculture and to trade and industry.
   • Social reform movements in Maharashtra were initiated in the 19th century by leaders such as Jyotirao Phule, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who fought for the rights of Dalits, women, and the lower castes.

Post-Independence Maharashtra (1947 - Present)

1. Formation of the State of Maharashtra (1960):

   • The reorganization of the Indian states according to linguistic lines took place in 1960 and created the State of Maharashtra. Bombay State was bifurcated into two, namely Maharashtra for Marathi speakers and Gujarat for Gujarati speakers.
   • Maharashtra state was formed by the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement, spearheaded by key leaders such as Shankarrao Chavan, Vishnu Shastri Chiplunkar, and Keshavrao Jedhe, advocating for unification of Marathi-speaking areas into one state.

2. Economic Growth and Challenges (20th and 21st Century):

   • Maharashtra became one of the wealthiest and more industrialized states in India within a very short time, with Mumbai being a financial capital, home to the Bombay Stock Exchange, among leading financial institutions.
   • The state also emerged as a hub for Bollywood, India’s film industry, significantly contributing to India’s cultural scene.
   • Yet, it remains a state plagued by poverty, farmer distress, and urbanization issues. Social and political movements around the causes of farmers' rights, regionalism, and secularism have influenced the modern politics of the state.

Conclusion

Maharashtra's history goes back thousands of years, from the prehistoric period to the modern Indian state. The history of Maharashtra reflects a blend of ancient cultural heritage, medieval power struggles, and post-independence growth that characterizes the state's rich and dynamic history. Maharashtra's contributions to Indian politics, culture, and economy have significantly impacted the broader Indian subcontinent.

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